Differences/Strengths Among Claremont Colleges

<p>Thread title is self-explanatory =) and for anyone!</p>

<p>I have a bunch of questions!</p>

<p>Which school has the best music program?
(I do not plan to major in it, but probably minor; I possibly want to go into music education)</p>

<p>Does anyone know anything about the East Asian studies programs?</p>

<p>How about the English department? Any first-hand knowledge?</p>

<p>Which schools are the most/least politically active?
To be honest, I am actually not too into politics, and I know these schools (especially CMC) have a reputation of being very active.</p>

<p>I have seen the CMC v. Pomona thread, but I am not particularly interested in Pomona.... moreso CMC, Pitzer, and Scripps, and CMC currently has the most updated thread out of those three.</p>

<p>Just responded to your thread in the Scripps forum, but I'll see if there's anything worth adding here...</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Music: Split into Pomona and 4C Joint Music Program (through Scripps). Lots of cross-over. There have been threads on this in the past, but it might take some searching to dig them up. I recall hearing that one program has more recreation-friendly ensembles, while the other is a bit stronger...both good, neither exceptional. Can't speak firsthand for ensembles or courses. I don't believe that CMC allows minors, but don't quote me on that. Scripps does. Pitzer, I don't know for sure, but I think does, also.</p></li>
<li><p>There's an Asian Studies as well as an Asian-American Studies major. Both are cooperative + interdisciplinary. I think the former is 'housed' on Pomona, but open equally to all (didn't check the latter, but likely the same). </p></li>
<li><p>Just for the sake of keeping things straight: Scripps has an English department, Pomona has both English and Romance Literature departments, Pitzer has an English & World Literature department, CMC has a Literature department, and HMC doesn't offer English or Lit as an on-campus major, but it does offer relevant classes through its hum department. You'll have no shortage of options! The first four all list their English (or Lit, in the case of CMC) majors as among their most popular. Scripps has a reputation as the humanities school, but the departments should all be strong. In general, I've heard that the English courses across Claremont are good, but dry. Can't speak firsthand.</p></li>
<li><p>Re: politically active campuses...it kind of depends on what you mean. You are correct in thinking that the campuses are all pretty active, but they all sort of express it in different ways. HMC is probably the most apathetic; Pitzer, Scripps, and Pomona are probably the most liberal; CMC is very politically balanced, which sometimes gets it incorrectly labeled as conservative. On Pitzer, I'd say you're a lot more likely to see social activism than blatant political activism (though the distinction is obviously a very fuzzy one)...also a lot of attention to global issues. I think of CMC as being the most politically aware campus, but students are more likely to attend a debate than a rally...bit less of an activist feel, more emphasis on politics + govt. issues than you might find on the other campuses. I'd put Scripps somewhere in between Pitzer and CMC in terms of issues + approaches. </p></li>
<li><p>I'm not much into either politics or strong activism, myself. Having gone to a very conservative HS and then a very liberal college, I preferred to just kind of...withdraw from that scene...and I was fine. There are definitely some strong-willed people across the campuses, but in most cases, that's a great thing. </p></li>
<li><p>Any particular reason that Pomona doesn't seem to catch your eye? The three you're looking at are great...just wondering about your preferences :)</p></li>
</ul>

<p>=) I replied on the Scripps board and sent you a PM! Thanks for all the comparisons and explicating of schools! hehe</p>